KUALA LUMPUR: The expulsion of leaders such as Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir from Umno was not the first time in the party's history and was done for the good of Umno.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the party's interest must be placed above any individual.
"The decision (to sack Muhyiddin and Mukhriz) was made based on the party's disciplinary (guidelines).
"It was made unanimously by the Supreme Council and had also been accepted by the state (Johor) Umno, and now it is important for us to make others understand why we made the decision.
"This is not the first time where Umno members were sacked from the party... in Johor itself this had happened during the time of Tun Musa Hitam, Tun Hussein Onn and Tun Dr Ismail. In the end, what we must put above all else is the party.
"We can't put the interest of any individual above Umno's," he told reporters at the Setiawangsa Ramadan Bazaar, here, earlier today.
Hishammuddin was there to deliver 'bubur lambuk' packs to bazaar visitors there.
He was also asked on whether he had any advice for Muhyiddin and Mukhriz, as expulsion could prove damaging to one's political career.
Hishammuddin said: "It is not my place to give them advice.
"But for me, I hold onto what they themselves said before this, that they were fighting for the religion, race and nation via Umno.
"If I were them, I wouldn't do anything that would damage the struggle and the party."